Can opener



Patented Jan. 8, 19351 UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

11 Claims.

This invention relates to sheet metal cutters and more particularly to can openers, although certain features thereof may be employed with equal advantage for other purposes.

It contemplates more especially the provision of a portable can opener of the power driven reciprocating type adapted primarily for domestic or household use so as to lighten the burden of can opening. Numerous types of can openers have heretofore been proposed for domestic use, but these have not proven entirely satisfactory owing to the fact that they prove burdensome after continued use or are otherwiseunsatisfactory for various reasons. The rotary cutter is not altogether desirable, since such is subject to the formation 'of burrs or chips along the cutting edge which are apt to be projected into space or with great likelihood into the contents of the can. This is especially true with rotary cutters or used on power actuated devices, since the operation thereof at high speeds is bound to produce very minute shavings which would prove very detrimental and injurious to the food as well as the consumer thereof. In consequence, it has been found high 1y desirable to resort to a reciprocating cutter or knife so as to avoid the shortcomings of known types of can openers. n

One object of the present invention is to simplify the construction and improve the operation of the devices of the character mentioned.

Another object is to provide an improved can opener of the portable type. which resorts to reciprocatory rather than rotary severing action.

Still another object is the provision of a compact, inexpensive and dependable can opener of the reciprocatory type.

A further object is the provision of novel means for guiding the can opener along a predetermined path of severance in conjunction with a can or other device. v

A still further object is to provide novel means for guiding a severing device of a portable can opener along a curved path without requiring anyundue care or guiding manipulation.

Still a further object is to provide a swivel guide member in conjunction with a can opener to serve as a severing guide as well as to initiate or control the operation of the power mechanism.

An additional object is to provide a power device of an electromagnetic type for reciprocating the severing device of a can-opener in conjunction with means for controlling the energization and operation thereof.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following description of an illustrative em bodiment of the present invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view in elevation of a device embodping features of the present invention, onehalf of the casing being removed to clarify the showing and disclose the interior mechanism thereof.

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially along line II-H of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a can opener shown in Figure 1 as applied to a can to effect the removal of the top closure thereof.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along line IVIV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view of the swivel guide member taken substantially along line V.V of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a bottom view of the suitable guide member shown in Figure 5.

' Figure '7 is a front view in elevation of a severing device such as a reciprocatory knife embodied in the structure disclosed in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the severing device disclosed in Figure 7. l

The structure selected forillustration comprises a casing 10 molded or otherwise shaped from metallic material to present complemental sections 11 and 12 which have adjacent contacting surfaces 13 along the median line thereof. As shown, the sections 11 and 12 have the top regions thereof enlarged to present convex extensions 14 and15 more or less complemental to the grasp of the attendant's hand to enable .the convenient manipulation thereof, these extensions projecting from the side walls 16 and 17 of the casing sections 11 and 12, respectively. The casing has a horizontal bottom surface with meeting sections 18 and 19 thereof in contact to serve as a complete enclosure for the mechanism to be hereinafter described. It is to be observed that the bottom walls 18 and 19 have a vertically .raised boss 20 formed symmetrically within the bottom wall sections 18 and 19 to receive a cylindrical member 21 having a peripheral shoulder 22'thereon to preclude the removal from the boss 20 which is bored for the slidable reception and rotation thereof.

In the present embodiment, the slidably mounted swivel 21 is provided with an elongated slot 23 extending vertically therethrough for the reception of a reciprocatory knife 24 which has an enlarged circular head 25 to arrest the downward movement and serve as a stop therefor. As shown, the knife 24 is provided with a pointed extremity 26 which is suitably ground to provide piercing edges for effecting shear responsive to the reciprocation thereof within the slot 23 of the swivel member 21. A laterally erected groove 27 is provided in the bottom face 28 of the swivel member 21 for communication with the slot 23, it being of sufficient depth and width to freely receive the edge 29 of a metal can 30. The side of the groove 27 may be slightly curved to faciliextension therefrom, it being positioned laterally of the groove 27 so as to contact the exterior wall of the can 30 for guidance and for limiting the swivel movement of the guide 21.

In order to effect the operation of the knife or cutter device 24, an electromagnet comprising a laminated core 33 is vertically supported between end brackets 34 which are attached to the side walls 16 and 1'? of the casing 10 by virtue of suitable fasteners'35. The lamination of the core 33 has normally projecting extensions 36 which support a coil 3'7 within the casing 10. The brackets 34 terminate in outwardly bent extremities 38 which receive a pin 39 therethrough to effect the pivotal support of a correspondingly shaped bracket 40 complemental therewith for reception therein between the bracket extensions 38. The brackets 40 serve to support a laminated armature 41 which pivots about the pin 39 to approach and recede from the core extensions 36 by virtue of the magneticflux created therebetween.

It is to be observed that the armature 41 has a horizontal arm 42 in the path of the knife head 25 so that the latter is projected downwardly in a vertical direction responsive to the counter clockwise movement of the armature 41 to contact the core 36 responsive to energizing the coil 37. The ascent .of the knife 24 is effected by virtue of a flat metallic spring 43 anchored at one extremity thereof to the armature extension 42, the free extremity 44 thereof being furcated to receive the knife 24 beneath its head 25 to normally urge the latter into its elevated position. Clockwise movement of the armature 41 I will raise the knife 25 by virtue of the spring 43,

effecting the reciprocation thereof responsive to the oscillatory movement of the armature 41 in consequence of making and breaking the circuit as will appear more fully hereinafter.

In order to normally urge the swivel guide 21 to its lowermost position with the collar 22 in engagement with the boss 20, a flat resilient member 45 is anchored to the end wall 46 of the casing 10, said member having an armular extension 47 in contact with said wall for attachment by means of fasteners 48. The extremity of the resilient member 45 is furcated as at 49 to accommodate the knife shank 24, and thus the latter is normally urged in a direction toward the swivel guide 21 to preclude the operation of the device. A pair of confronting terminal contacts 50 are mounted on fiat members 51 and 52 which are supported on spring arms 53 and 54, respectively, these being anchored to the side wall 16 as at 55 to normally maintain the ter-' minal contacts separated. Insulators 56 are disposed on both sides of the fiat members 51 and 52 so as to preclude short-circuiting of the terminal contacts 50 which are connected in circuit with the coil 37 by means of wires 57 and 58 leading to the source of power through a conduit 59 having the conventional plug 60 attached to the extremity thereof for electrical engagement with a wall socket or other suitably connected source of power.

It is to be noted that the resilient member 45 is disposed immediately below the terminal support 52, and the armature 41 has an arm 61 formed thereon for extension into the path of the terminal support 51. A spring 62 is interposed between the arm 61 and the casing 10 which has a plug 63 depending from the interior thereof to present an extension 64 for axial reception of the spring 62, thereby latterly precluding the displacement thereof. The spring 62 normally urges the armature 41 in a clockwise direction which condition accounts for the elevation of the knife 44, and it will be observed that with the swivel guide 21 in its lowermost position theelectrical circuit will be open to preclude operation of the knife 24 even though the plug 60 should be attached to an electrical socket. Any suitable fastener means may be provided to maintain the casing sections 11 and 12 assembled; in this instance the screw fasteners may be employed for that purpose to engage suitably threaded apertures 65 provided in the core supports 34. The contacts 50 are normally separated fcr a slight distance, and with the application of the device to a can 30 by registry by the groove 27 with the ridge 29 thereof, the swivel guide 21 may be depressed to an extent suflicient to cause the spring member 45 to elevate the contact support 52 so as to bring the terminals 50 together. Thereupon, the circuit will be closed and the coils 3'? is energized to create a magnetic flux in the core 33 to attract the armature 41 against the urge of the spring 62 to effect the receding movement of the arm 61 from the contact support 51 and coincident therewith the armature extension 42 will cause the knife 24 to descend. Thereupon, the terminal 50 supported by the fiat member 51 will be free to recede from its confronting contact terminal to break the circuit, and the armature 41 will thus be pivoted to its extreme clockwise position to raise the knife 24. With the pivoting of the armature 41 to its extreme clockwise position the arm 61 thereof again depresses the contact 51 to close the circult, thereby setting up the magnetic field in the c0113! in repetition of the cycle of movements described supra.

It is apparent, therefore, that the knife 24 will reciprocate at a very rapid rate to penetrate the container top 66 with the swivel 21 turning. to guide the knife along the edge 29. The stud 31 assists in guiding the knife, and with this arrangement the can 30 can be opened with ease and with very little effort. A rubber mat 67 is preferably disposed between" the can 30 and the table top for other support to lessen the vibration and minimize the noise. The electric cord 59 preferably extends through an aperture 68 provided proximate to the extremity of the mat 67 so that it may not be separated from the casing 10 but be always available therewith.

Various changes may be made in-the embodimentv of the invention herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a hand manipulated can opener of the portable type, the combination with a casing adapted to be hand grasped, of reciprocable can severing means mounted in said casing for application to a can therewith, power means in said casing for effecting the reciprocation of said severing means, and means associated with said casing for guiding said severing means along a predetermined progressive severing path, said sever ing means being reciprocable relative to said guiding means which cooperates with the rim of a for linear guidance relative thereto.

2. In a can opener, the combination ,with a casing, of reciprocable ,can severing means mounted in said casing, power means for effecting the reciprocation of said severing means, and means rotatably associated with said casing forguiding said severing means along a predetermined curved path.

3. In a can opener, the combination'with a casing, of reciprocable can severing means mounted in said casing, power means for effecting the reciprocation of said severing means, means rotatably associated with said casing for guiding said severing means along a predetermined curved path, and means responsive to the pressure application of said casing to a can for controlling said power means.

4. In a can opener, the combination with a casing, of reciprocable can severing means mounted in said casing, power means including an electromagnet for effecting the reciprocation of said severing means, means rotatablv associated with said casing for guiding said severing means along a predetermined curved path, and means responsive to the pressure application of said casing to a can for controlling said power means.

5. In a can opener, the combination with a casing, of reciprocable can severing means mounted in said casing, power means including an electromagnet for effecting the reciprocation of said severing means, swivel means rotatably associated with said casing for guiding said sev ering means along a predetermined curved pathf and means responsive to the pressure application of said casing to a can for controlling said power means.

6. In a can opener, the combination with acasing, of reciprocable can severing means mounted in said casing, means reciprocally mounted in said casing, a swivel member on said casing, there being a slot extending axially through said swivel member for slidably receiving said severing means, and means on said swivel member for cooperation with a can edge to effect the linear travel of said severing means along a predetermined path. I

7. In a can opener, the combination with a casing, of an electromagnet having a fixedly mounted core, an armature movably associated with said core, a reciprocable knife mounted in said casing in confronting relation to a portion of said core for movement responsive thereto, confronting electrical contacts resiliently mounted in said casing, swivel guide means reciprocally mounted in said casing to slidably receive said knife there- -through, an arm on said core in the path of one of said contacts, and a member responsive to said swivel guide means in the path of the other of said contacts to close an electrical circuit through said contacts responsive to applying said guide means to a can.

8. In a can opener, the combination with a casing, of an electromagnet having a fixedly mounted core, an armature movably associated. with said core, a reciprocable knife mounted in said casing in confronting relation to a portion of said core for movement responsive thereto, confronting can ' said armature said electrical contacts resiliently mounted in said casing, swivel guide means reciprocally mounted in said casing to slidably receive said knife therethrough, an arm on said core in the path of one of said contacts, spring means interposed between arm and said casing to normally eflect the separation of said core and armature; and a member responsive to said swivel guide means in the path of the other of said contacts to close an electrical circuit through said contacts responsive to applying said guide means to a can.

9. In a can opener, the combination with 0. casing, of an electromagnet having a fixedly mounted core, an armature movably associated with said core, a reciprocable knife mounted in said casing in confronting relation to a portion of said core for movement responsive thereto, confronting electrical contacts resiliently mounted in casing to slidably receive said knife therethrough, an arm on said core in the path of one of said contacts, spring means interposed between said armature, resilient means for normally urging said knife against said armature portion in the path thereof, and a member responsive to said swivel guide means in the path of the other of said contacts to close an electrical circuit through said contacts responsive to applying said uide means to a can.

10. In a can opener, the combination with a casing, of an electromagnet having a fixedly mounted core, an armature movably associated with said core, a knife reciprocably mounted in said casing in confronting relation to a portion of said core for movement responsive thereto, confronting electrical contacts resiliently mounted in said casing to slidably receive said knife therethrough, there being a groove in the face of said swivel means to slidably cooperate with the bead of a can, an arm on of said contacts, spring means interposed between said armature, resilient means for normally urging said knife against said armature portion in the path thereof, and a member responsive to said swivel guide means in the path of the other of said contacts to close an electrical circuit through said contacts responsive to applying said guide means to a can. y

11. In a can opener, the combination with a casing, of an electromagnet having a fixedly mounted core, an armature movably associated with said core, a knife reciprocably mounted in said casing in confronting relation to a portion of said core for movement responsive thereto, confronting electrical contacts ed in said casing to slidably receive said knife therethrough, there being a groove in the face of said swivel means to slidably cooperate with the bead of a can, a member projecting from the face of said guide means proximate to said groove to engage the side of a can, an arm on said core in the path of one of said contacts, spring means interposed between said armature, resilient means for normally urging said knife against said armature portion in the path thereof, and a member responsive to said swivel guide means in the path of the other of said contacts to close an electrical circuit through said contacts responsive to applying said guide means to a can. GEORGE V. YEOMAN.

resiliently mount-- said core in the path of one 

